The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
NATIONAL Foods yesterday held a Stock Feeds Winter Fair at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), aimed at equipping farmers with standard information on profitable livestock farming.
The event, according to the company’s group marketing executive, Angela Mpala, is meant to act as a platform for farmers to share productive tips and ideas on livestock farming.
“This is the first time it is being held in Bulawayo. It was launched in Harare last month and we will be holding such an event countrywide to interact with farmers to equip them with technical advice to ensure that they are productive and profitable in their farming endeavours,” said Mpala.
She said the winter fair was a free exciting fun day open to all livestock farmers, where they could share tips and ideas about profitable farming with experts in rearing and marketing.
“We produce feed for every type of livestock including wildlife. Our aim here is to educate farmers on how to get the best through optimum yields. This programme doesn’t just end here, as farmers can still get in touch with us on social media, offices and hotlines.
“We have a team of technical advisors countrywide. Also while we hold these programmes we will be broadcasting live on Radio Zimbabwe,” said Mpala.
The event was characterised by fun games, a mini petting zoo and jumping castles for the children at the fair. Also present at the event were veterinarians and suppliers. The public had an opportunity to interact on a one-on-one basis with technical advisors, suppliers and vets about livestock farming. National Foods also launched a new and improved feed to their already vast collection. The feed is set to transform the livestock industry by offering farmers the option to customise their formulations if they so require.
Mpala said there were a number of prizes to be won such as stock feed, mealie-meal and free meals at designated food outlets.
“If you buy 7,25kg bags of poultry feed you stand a chance to win a 5kg bag of Red Seal roller meal or a 5kg bag of broiler or layer feed. The prices vary with the amount of feed bought. We are grateful to our partners such as Frontline Farming and Veterinary Distributors,” said Mpala, adding that the programme would go on until the end of the year in different cities and towns, running under different themes.
